Tyson Moran of Wingham, Ont. expected to be picked in MLB Draft

A Wingham teen has a good shot at being chosen in the upcoming MLB draft. CTV London's Brent Lale reports.

A teenager from small-town midwestern Ontario is likely to hear his name called in the upcoming Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.

“He just hasn’t stop hitting,” said Chris Robinson, one of his coaches with the Great Lake Canadians (GLC).

As the MLB draft approaches this week, the second baseman from Wingham, Ont. is ranked in some mock drafts as a mid-round pick.

“I haven’t really been a highly touted prospect over the years until recently,” said Moran.

“I’m just trying to soak it all up and trying not to take it for granted.”

The left-hand-hitting infielder has power, speed, and his game has elevated over the past year.

His coaches praise his work ethic and describe him as “determined.”

“It’s a two-hour drive (from Wingham to Dorchester) and he’s the first kid here, four days a week,” said Jamie Romak, a former MLB player who coaches Moran with GLC.

“He wants to work. He appreciates the opportunity he’s been given and guys like that tend to succeed in this game. It started in March on a trip to Arizona playing professional competition that he just absolutely demolished and hasn’t really stopped since then.”

During that trip he hit two home runs against the Cleveland Guardians. Every time he’s played over the past few months, scouts are keeping an eye on him.

“It is really cool to kind of interact with some of the scouts, especially with me going out to Arizona,” said Moran.

“That kind of environment was really cool. I’m playing against a bunch of pro guys just realizing that could be me in the next couple of years, but I’m trying not to think about that too much.”

His rise through the rankings started less than a year ago.

“He really kind of had a coming out, so to speak, last fall,” said Robinson.

“He was the Futures Game MVP there for the Toronto Blue Jays Showcase, which is a big deal from across the country. He’s an easy to root for kid.”

Moran has committed to North Dakota State but has dreams of playing professionally. With the draft now 20 rounds – a reduction in 2019 – only half as many prospects are selected from previous years. Moran should be one of them.

“That’s kind of my goal right now,” he said. “It’d be something I would never forget.”